Author: Kajoyan Gevork

TURQUIE : RAGIP ZARAKOLU SOUTIENT SABAHAT TUNCEL SUR LE GENOCIDE ARMENIEN

Publie le : 20-02-2015

Info Collectif VAN РРRagip Zarakolu, cel̬bre
ecrivain turc, editeur et militant des droits de l’homme, soutient
la proposition de loi de Sabahat Tuncel, deputee [kurde] du Parti
democratique du peuple (HDP), exigeant la reconnaissance du genocide
armenien par la Turquie et la declaration du 24 avril comme jour de
deuil, soumise a la Grande Assemblee nationale turque. Suivant son
projet de loi, Tuncel exige que le president Erdogan presente ses
excuses au peuple armenien dans un lieu historique. Selon Zarakolu
le lieu le plus convenable pourrait etre les escaliers qui mènent a
la gare de Haydar Pacha, par où passait le chemin de l’exil et de
la mort des intellectuels armeniens. Le Collectif VAN vous invite
a lire la traduction d’un article en armenien, paru sur le site
armeniangenocide100.org le 12 fevrier 2015.

(c) PAN Photo

armeniangenocide100.org

Ragip Zarakolu soutient la proposition de loi d’une deputee turque,
appelant a la reconnaissance du genocide armenien

Le 12 fevrier 2015

Ragip Zarakolu, celèbre ecrivain turc, editeur et militant des
droits de l’homme, a annonce que Sabahat Tuncel, deputee [kurde]
du Parti democratique du peuple (HDP), avait soumis une resolution a
la Grande Assemblee nationale turque, exigeant la reconnaissance du
genocide armenien par la Turquie et la declaration du 24 avril comme
jour de deuil.

>, – rapporte
Diarioarmenia.org.

Selon Zarakolu, “La Turquie qui est incapable de faire face a son
passe, ne peut pas assurer une reconciliation durable. La resolution
du problème, est conditionnee tout d’abord a l’affrontement avec sa
propre histoire “.

Suivant son projet de loi, Tuncel exige que le president Erdogan
presente ses excuses au peuple armenien dans un lieu historique. Selon
Zarakolu, le lieu le plus convenable pourrait etre les escaliers qui
mènent a la gare de Haydar Pacha, par où passait le chemin de l’exil
et de la mort des intellectuels armeniens.

Zarakolu note qu’en 2012, il avait envoye de sa prison, une lettre a
la Presidence de la Grande Assemblee de Turquie, faisant appel a la
reconnaissance du genocide armenien et exhortant le parlement turc a
s’excuser auprès des Armeniens, tandis qu’en 1998, les organisations
luttant contre le genocide, dont Zarakolu etait membre, avaient
recueilli plus de 10 000 signatures des Turcs vivant en Allemagne
en exigeant la reconnaissance du genocide armenien [Nota CVAN :
Cette petition avait notamment ete portee en Allemagne par le Turc
Ali Ertem].

“J’espère que la proposition du projet de loi de Sabahat Tuncel sera
serieusement examinee, et qu’un accord necessaire sera signe,” ecrit
le courageux intellectuel turc Zarakolu.

(c)Traduction de l’armenien Collectif VAN – 16 fevrier 2015 –

Lire aussi :

Turquie : Mustafa Kemal a reconnu les massacres de masse de millions
de Chretiens

Genocide armenien : Soumission d’une resolution au parlement turc

Le Collectif VAN rend hommage aux militants turcs

Genocide : appel vibrant au Parlement de Turquie

Liberte pour Ragip Zarakolu : Dossier complet du Collectif VAN

Source/Lien : armeniangenocide100.org

Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
104 N. Belmont St., Suite 200
Glendale, CA 91206
818.500.1918

See What Advocacy Day Is All About | Register Today

ANCA WR – Advocating the Armenian Cause in the CA State Capitol

On Monday, April 20, 2015, the Armenian National Committee of
America-Western Region (ANCA-WR), the California State Legislature,
and California activists will join to commemorate the 100th
Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide at the State Capitol in
Sacramento.

Hundreds of dedicated supporters across California are expected will
gather for Advocacy Day to educate and motivate public officials on
the legislative process and on issues significant to Armenian
Americans who live across the State. This year, the commemoration of
the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide will begin with
ceremonies on both the California Assembly and Senate floors, where
legislators will deliver remarks about the Genocide. A vote on the
Armenian Genocide resolution will follow. Also, throughout the date,
members will meet with their legislators to advocate current issues of
interest to Armenian Americans. “The annual Armenian Genocide
commemoration reaffirms California’s commitment to combating genocide
and its denial, while providing Armenian Americans an opportunity to
connect with representatives and engage the political process,” said
Raffi L. Kassabian, ANCA-WR Board Member.

For individuals/groups who are interested in participating from the
Los Angeles area, bus transportation to and from Sacramento as well as
lodging will be provided. The bus will depart on Sunday, April 19,
2015 at 9AM and will return the following evening on Monday, April 20,
2015.

For more information or to register
visit ANCAWR.org/AdvocacyDay | email [email protected] | call (818) 500-1918.

ARAM MANUKYAN REPROVES POLICEMAN NEAR THE PRESIDENTIAL RESIDENCE (VIDEO- PHOTOS)

13:52 | February 19,2015 | Politics

“You are disgracing you and us”, says deputy to the policeman during
the rally of the parents of the killed soldiers: video by epress.am

UK MEDIA DEMONIZING RUSSIA AS ‘GUILTY’ OF DARING TO RESIST US EMPIRE

February 19, 2015 12:44

The demonization of Vladimir Putin and Russia by the British political
establishment and media has never been as intense as in the wake of
the recent Ukraine peace talks in Minsk, Russia Today reports.

STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 19, ARTSAKHPRESS: Rather than preparing British
public opinion for peace and a negotiated settlement to a conflict
which thus far has cost the lives of over 5,000 people and seen over
a million displaced, the opposite has been evident: British public
opinion is being prepared for a continuation and intensification of
the conflict. The characterization of the Russian leader has been so
off the scale it is hard to imagine anyone being naïve enough to take
it seriously.

When he’s not being compared to Hitler, an especially offensive
caricature for historical reasons, he is being accused of harboring
ambitions of forging a ‘Russian Empire.’ That such accusations stem
from a nation whose government has played a key part in reducing
Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya to a state of chaos in recent years,
a consequence of the UK’s attachment to Washington’s brutal and
disastrous assault on the Arab and Muslim world, only makes them all
the more hypocritical if not downright noxious. But then this should
come as no surprise, as we’ve been here before, haven’t we? Remember
when Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez was being similarly demonized and held
up as a dictator? His crime when he came to power and remained there
on the back of numerous democratic elections was his refusal to allow
Venezuela’s wealth to continue to be shipped out of the country, as it
had been for decades, by a small group of Western-supported oligarchs.

What the crisis and conflict in Ukraine has done is remind us that
we live in a unipolar world in which the West’s interests and rights
are the only ones deemed legitimate. This is what drives the repeated
attempts by Washington and its allies, especially the UK, to push a
hegemonic agenda. And whether in the Middle East or in Europe, it is
this agenda that has been the root cause of instability, conflict,
and human suffering across the world that we have seen unfold in
recent times. And this is without taking into account the decades of
mayhem that has ensued before that. The US is a global hegemony. With
over 1,000 military bases covering the planet, 11 navy battle carrier
groups, and a military budget currently exceeding that of every other
major industrialized nation combined, the challenge facing the world
is how to resist a US Empire that, to paraphrase the Roman historian
Tacitus, is intent on making a desert and calling it peace.

The British political class and its media allies have made a virtue out
of attaching themselves to the US Empire’s coattails. It is a sordid
and eminently dishonorable relationship that has allowed the UK to
parade itself as a first rate power when in truth it hardly qualifies
as third rate. While Britain may no longer have an empire, an empire
attitude towards the rest of the world continues to poison the minds
of its leaders and proponents of the ideology of ‘democratization’,
which is not to be confused with democracy.

Vladimir Putin and Russia’s crime is to dare to resist this US
Empire, taking a stand against the hypocrisy, double standards, and
complete lack of respect for other countries, cultures, and values
it represents. The concerted attempt to expand NATO and an ever more
militant EU all the way up to Russia’s border has nothing to do with
democracy and everything to do with the projection of imperial power
masquerading as democracy. An escalation of the conflict in eastern
Ukraine benefits no one, least of all Russia. But the principle at
stake is one that must be upheld – namely an end to the West dictating
orders to the rest of the world and thereby spreading destabilization
rather than peace, war instead of peace, and chaos at the expense
of order.

At some point a viable political solution to the Ukrainian crisis
will have to be agreed. But only equals can reach such an agreement,
which will require an end to the infantile Russophobia that has become
a feature of political discourse in the UK. Russia is not an enemy
of the British people. The irresponsible and reckless disregard for
European stability based on mutual respect is. The UK has long been
the cat’s paw of Washington within Europe. When the US sneezes it
is ready with a handkerchief to blow its nose. In fact it would be
more apt to replace the word ‘alliance’ in Atlantic Alliance with
‘dependence.’ Meanwhile, when it comes to the British press, the
poet Humbert Wolfe said it best: “You cannot hope to bribe or twist,
thank God, the British journalist. But, seeing what the man will do
unbribed, there’s no occasion to.”

OHANYAN TALKS ABOUT ARMENIA-US DEFENSE COOPERATION WITH FARKAS

YEREVAN, February 19. /ARKA/. Armenia’s minister of defense Seyran
Ohanyan discussed defense cooperation issues with US deputy assistant
secretary of defense Evelyn Farkas on Wednesday, the press office of
the Armenian ministry of defense reported.

Farkas arrived in Armenia with the US delegation headed by Assistant
Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland.

Among members of the delegation were high-ranking officials from US
Army Europe Headquarters.

The sides talked about issues of mutual interest within the defense
cooperation between the countries, says the report.

Ohanyan and Farkas pointed out that the cooperation develops
dynamically in atmosphere of transparency and mutual trust.

Regional security issues were discussed at the meeting. -0–

LEVON TER-PETROSSIAN A VIVEMENT CRITIQUE LA DECLARATION PAN-ARMENIENNE DU CENTENAIRE DU GENOCIDE

ARMENIE

Dans un article publie dans le quotidien Chorrord Ichkhanoutioun,
l’ex-President critique des articles de la declaration pan-armenienne
publiee a la fin du mois dernier, qu’il denonce comme un >. Il se demande > une commission de
coordination des manifestations du centenaire du Genocide s’est
reservee le droit d’adopter un document au nom de l’ensemble du
peuple armenien. Il decrit comme un > l’appel a l’Etat
turc de faire face a sa propre histoire. >, ecrit-il, reiterant son
point de vue, selon lequel Ankara ne reconnaitra le Genocide qu’après
une normalisation des relations et l’instauration d’un climat de
confiance entre les deux pays. L’ex-President se montre encore plus
critique au sujet d’un autre passage de la declaration qui relève
que l’Armenie et la diaspora a travers le monde s’efforcent de > et que . >. M. Manoyan se demande comment cette declaration peut rendre
encore plus improbable une chose [la normalisation des relations
armeno-turques] qui n’existe pas.

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Armenie en
date du 12 fevrier 2015

jeudi 19 fevrier 2015, Stephane (c)armenews.com

TSARUKIAN VEUT REGLER LES PROBLEMES DE FACON PACIFIQUE

Politique

Gagik Tsarukian, leader du BHK, a signale sa volonte de regler
les problèmes par des moyens “pacifiques, legaux et politiques”,
au lendemain de sa rencontre avec le president Serge Sarkissian qui
avait pour but de les reconcilier après des echanges vifs.

Sarkissian, apparemment exaspere par “l’ultimatum” de Tsarukian, a
fustige le leader du BHK lors d’une reunion des hauts responsables
de son Parti republicain le 12 fevrier. Les jours qui ont suivis,
des dizaines de loyalistes de Tsarukian ont ete arretes et leurs
entreprises ont ete inspectees.

Le trio d’opposition a replique en programmant un rassemblement commun
le 20 fevrier pour exiger la demission de Sarkissian.

Au milieu de ces tensions, Sarkissian et Tsarukian se sont reunis
pour tenter de desamorcer la situation. Mais, a en juger par les
declarations des membres dirigeants du HHK, un compromis est impossible
tant que Tsarukian aura un avenir politique.

Dans un communique diffuse par son porte-parole hier, le leader du BHK
a indique : “Nous ne devons pas mener des guerres les uns contre les
autres afin de resoudre les problèmes qui existent dans notre pays. Ce
dont nous avons besoin, c’est de travailler sereinement sans insulter
l’autre, en soulignant toutes les lacunes existantes, pour trouver
des solutions et les mettre en oeuvre”, a declare Tsarukian. “Il
n’y a que de cette manière qu’il sera possible de mettre fin a la
situation delicate du pays aujourd’hui.”

Le chef du BHK a egalement exprime son inquietude concernant le
risque d’un scenario “sanglant”, soulignant qu'”aucun objectif ne
peut justifier le sang d’un seul innocent”.

“C’est la tâche a la fois du gouvernement et de l’opposition de ne
pas franchir les limites raisonnables. Toutes les questions doivent
etre resolues par des moyens pacifiques, legaux et politiques”,
a conclu Tsarukyan.

Pendant ce temps, citant “l’etat emotionnel tendu de la societe”, le
conseil politique du BHK a declare que, pour eviter “des provocation et
affrontements possibles”, il avait decide d’annuler le rassemblement de
l’opposition prevu vendredi, le 20 fevrier. Plus tôt, la municipalite
d’Erevan avait refuse d’approuver la tenue de cette manifestation.

Par ailleurs, la porte-parole de Tsarukian, Iveta Tonoyan, a rappele
hier que le chef du BHK n’avait nullement l’intention de quitter la
politique ou de renoncer a son siège au Parlement.

jeudi 19 fevrier 2015, Claire (c)armenews.com

KURKCU: THEY ATTACKED OPPOSITION MPS WITH WHATEVER THEY COULD GET HOLD OF

02.18.2015 14:51NEWS

Assaulted in Parliament during the meeting for the internal security
package, HDP Member of Parliament described the fight that broke out:
“You cannot but run for help when a friend of yours is being assaulted
by thugs. If there is a price to pay for that, we are prepared,
but the real problem here is that the Parliament is increasingly
resembling a slaughterhouse.”

5 Members of Parliament were injured during the fight that broke out
during the parliamentary meeting for the omnibus bill known as the
‘internal security package’. The fight began with taunts between
AKP and CHP and HDP Members of Parliament during the closed session
of the General Assembly, and turned into a full-blown fight during
which HDP MP Ertugrul Kurkcu, and CHP MPs Musa Cam, Aykut Erdogdu
and Mahmut Tanal were injured.

HDP MPs held a press conference at the Parliament today, and stated
that the AKP had to apologize especially because of the attack carried
out by its MPs on female parliamentarians.

HDP MPs stated that the session speaker AyÅ~_enur Bahcekapılı lost
her impartiality and adopted a hard stance against the opposition. “The
fact that Bahcekapılı remained silent in the face of violence will
go down in history,” said Pervin Buldan, and called for an apology
from the AKP. HDP MP Ertugrul Kurkcu, who suffered a head injury
during the fight, came to the Parliament wearing a helmet today.

Pervin Buldan’s statement was as follows:

“This bill will eventually bring the government down. We, as the HDP,
will do everything in our powers to prevent this draft law passing. We
once again issue a call from here. This package, which will draw Turkey
into a dark period, must immediately be withdrawn. The government
should focus on the peace process, and do whatever is necessary. The
deputy head of the AKP group must be investigated, and AKP MPs must
apologize from us.”

Ertugrul Kurkcu explained the details of the fight with the following
words:

“I normally use this helmet to protect my head, but now I believe I
need it to protect myself from AKP MPs. I will use this equipment
in Parliament from now on. This is not mere black humour. What
we experienced yesterday has left the impression that we have now
crossed a certain threshold. Mustafa ElitaÃ…~_ [AKP MP] will soon tell
you how bad people we are, but if this were not a closed session,
this was what you would have seen:

When the AKP group deputy heads pressurised the session deputy head
to stop our friends from speaking, our MPs Pervin Buldan and Sebahat
Tuncel went up to the speaker’s stand; upon which male AKP MPs began
to physically attack them, and we were impelled to go to the help of
our friends.”

‘They slung a punch at Tuncel’

“I could not have sat and watched for the sake of politeness when my
friends were being harassed. I went up to the front to prevent the
punch slung at Sebahat Tuncel, and I was hit myself, and then they
continued attacking us.”

‘Oktay Saral attacked MPs with speaker’s hammer’

“I also witnessed AKP MP Oktay Saral attack several opposition MPs
with the speaker’s hammer. He was the one who injured [CHP MP] Aykut
Erdogdu. He was also the one who attacked [CHP MP] Mahmut Tanal. He
led the attacking regiment of the AKP. But even more importantly,
other AKP MPs took no objection to these attacks, they saw no harm
in women MPs being disrespectfully harassed, which proved that their
previous words about Ozgecan Aslan [the student who was brutally
raped and murdered in Mersin] were insincere.”

“Yes, I might have staved off this attack with a few scratches, but
no one can know beforehand what can happen in such attacks. [CHP
MP] Musa Cam could have faced a much more serious injury [Cam
was hospitalized]. We have to question the motivation for them to
collectively attack opposition MPs in Parliament. I believe that the
internal security package has become an issue of life and death for
them. Either this draft law passes, or their power is threatened.”

“I ask you to imagine this: Police forces will be formed with the
same mentality as these AKP MPs if this draft law passes. The same
goes for plainclothes policemen and the gendarmerie. And if we are
to lend an ear to the President’s call, even civilians will act the
same. We shall keep this incident in our mind as an example of how
law enforcement will use its powers to resort to force, duress or
firearms to turn the country into a slaughterhouse if this law passes.”

“All this took place with no access to the public because of the
AKP’s decision to hold a closed session. I would have liked you to
witness it, but then again, I would have not, as human beings. You
would have abandoned the Parliament if you had seen MPs speak and
act in that manner towards their colleagues.”

“After speaking about women’s rights and women’s presence all day,
for them to attack our female colleagues in this manner, and for us
to adopt our traditional role to protect them, makes me feel both
unfortunate, and like a victim. You cannot but run for help when
a friend is being assaulted by thugs. If there is a price to pay
for that, we are prepared, but the real problem here is that the
Parliament is increasingly resembling a slaughterhouse.”

ElitaÃ…~_: Women MPs assaulted themselves

AKP Group Deputy Head Mustafa ElitaÃ…~_ also made a statement regarding
the attack on HDP MPs Pervin Buldan and Sebahat Tuncel in the General
Assembly, and said: “The women MPs assaulted themselves. They carried
out the assault. From what I understand, they hit themselves. No AKP
MP would attack others, especially women.”

ARMENIAN MINISTERS’ INCOME DECLARATIONS RELEASED

16:44 * 18.02.15

Armenia’s Commission on Ethics of High-Ranking Officials has published
the property reports and income statements of high-ranking officials
and their relatives.

According to the official report, as of the date of his appointment
Minister of Finance Gagik Khachatryandeclared AMD 269,000,000 (USD$
561,515.98) and US $ 1,970,000. His wife Laura Yefremyan declared
even more, about AMD 180,000,000 (US$ 375,735.60) and USD 2,745,000.

The second richest minister is Minister of Nature Protection Aramais
Grigoryan AMD 810,600,425 (US USD 1,692,063.54), RUB 300,000 and
USD 776,000. His wife Alisa Grigoryan declared AMD 300,630,945 (USD
627,543.05) in 2013.

The third richest minister is Armenia’s Minister of Transport and
Communication Gagik Beglaryan. According to his property reform and
income statement for 2013, he had US $92,000 and AMD 535,408,000 (USD
1,117,621.37). His wife Nune Nikolyan declared about AMD 33,700,000
(USD 70,346.05).

Minister of Justice Hovhannes Manukyan declared about AMD 359,000,000
(US $749,121.26).

Minister of Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan declared US $81,200, EURO
75,120 and AMD 174,950,385 (US $365,041.42).

Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan has a declared income of AMD
51 million (US $26,688) and EURO 21,827; her total registered assets
amount to US $56,000.

As for the minister of health, Armen Muradyan, he has declared AMD
14 million and US $48,000 (total: above US $77,000).

The foreign minister, Edward Nalbandian had registered assets of EURO
49,800 and US $140,000 as of his reappointment date in 2014.

Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Artem Asatryan declared AMD
30,000,000 in 2014 (over US $62,596).

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Yervand Zakharyan was the
tenth, with declared assets of AMD 29,800,000 ($6 2,183)

Armen Yeritsyan, the minister of territorial administration and
emergencies, declared 25,000,000 (US $52,162) being appointed to post.

Minister of Economy Karen Cshmarityan has declared AMD 550,000
($1,147), EURO 37,000 and $1,200.

Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan did not submit any
income declaration last year; his 2013 declaration reveals a registered
income of 18,000,000 (US $37,573).

Some 16,000,000 Drams ($33,398) are registered in Defense Minister
Seyran Ohanyan’s declaration.

Exactly the same amount was declared by David Harutyunyan, the chief
of the Government staff (AMD 6,500,000 or US $13,568 plus US $20,000)

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Gabriel Ghazaryan has declared
AMD 5,000,000 and US $14,000.

Minister of Urban Development Narek Sargsyan comes next, with a
registered income of AMD 11,500,000 ($ 7,000,000), $6,000 and EURO
3,500 as of the date of being appointed to office.

The minister of culture, Hasmik Poghosyan, has declared AMD 4 million
(US $8,349).

The lowest appear to be the assets of Vache Gabrielyan, the minister
of international economic integration and reforms. His declaration
reveals a registered income of 1,900,000 (US $4,000).

SPANISH LA 2 CHANNEL HOSTS DEBATE ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

16:22, 18 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Earlier this month Spain’s Second Television Channel (La 2) hosted a
debate on the Armenian Genocide. The guests of the talk show were
President of Ararat Armenian Association Ararat Ghukasyan and author
of the new book “The Memory of Ararat” (“La memoria del Ararat”),
writer, journalist, correspondent for the “El periodico” Daily Xavier
Moret.

The discussions focused on the Armenian Genocide, the reasons for, the
process and the consequences of that crime against humanity, its
recognition and Turkey’s state policy of denial.

The program began with the screening of a cognitive documentary film
about the Armenian Genocide.

“The 10 million Armenians living in Armenia and abroad definitely feel
the trace of the Genocide that will remain an unhealed wound as long
as there is no adequate response and as long as Turkey continues to
deny the Armenian Genocide,” Ararat Ghukasyan said.

When asked whether time can play a role or not, Ghukasyan said: “Even
if 100 years go by, forgetting it will be a sin not only for us –
Armenians, but also for the international community, at large.”

Writer Xavier Moret noted that he visited Tsitsernakaberd Armenian
Genocide Memorial Complex on 24 April 2013 and added: “You definitely
have to go there to understand what it is. Armenia is a marvelous
country, and the Armenian people are marvelous. You definitely have to
visit Armenia to understand their hospitality, their love, their
sorrow and all this. I am in love with Armenia.”

The hostess of the show Marta Caseres said she had invited Turkey’s
Ambassador and representatives of the Turkish Embassy, but they didn’t
even respond to the invitation.

Writer Xavier Moret said it’s very important for countries like Spain
and Israel to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide so that such
crimes are never repeated.

At the end, Ararat Ghukasyan cited William Saroyan’s famous words
about the Armeninas: “For when two of them meet anywhere in the world,
see if they will not create a New Armenia.”